Obituaries: Leon Holland, Sabine Parish H-453 Source: Sabine Index, Many, La., Sep 4, 1980 Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck carlrad@earthlink.net ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ** Leon Holland (Photo) Many High School Coach, Leon Holland, 53, died unexpectedly in the home of his mother, Mrs. Leola Holland of Many, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Monday night, Sept. 1. The coach's mother had suffered a stroke earlier in the day, and was a patient in Fraser Hospital North, when her son was stricken. An autopsy was order by Parish Coroner, Dr. Gene Poimboeuf. It is believed that Coach Holland died from an apparent heart attack, although the cause of death has not been determined. Monday had been a hectic day for the coach. After tending to his mother in the hospital, he participated in Monday night work outs on the football field with the Many Tigers. Several noticed he was unusually quiet during the practice session. Practice was dismissed at about 9:30 p.m., and within an hour, the coach, who all admired, was dead. The funeral will be held Saturday, Sept. 6, at 1 p.m., in the New Jerusalem Baptist Church, where the Rev. L. D. Davis is pastor. Officiating at the services will be Rev. C. A. Lilly. The body will lie in state at the church from 11 a.m., Saturday, until service time. The funeral will be under the direction of Jenkins Funeral Home. Survivors of Coach Holland include his widow, Mrs. Vietria Holland of Many; three sons, Terhan Dunning, Donnie Ray Dunning, and Elvin Holland; and two daughters, Constance Holland, and Mildred Holland. Born on May 9, 1927, Leon Holland was a sports minded person. He played both football and basketball at Sabine High, and was a member of the 1947 State Championship basketball team. Following graduation in 1948, Holland enrolled at Grambling State University, where he earned a B.S. degree in education, and physical education. He also served in the United States Army during the early 50's. He was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. Following graduation from Grambling, Coach Holland returned to his hometown, and began a career in teaching. He taught and coached at Sabine High for 16 years, before coming to Many High in 1969, the year integration took place. Coach Holland was a very successful football coach at Sabine High, bringing home numerous winning seasons during his career. At Many High, Coach Holland was known as "Prof", and admired by the student body. Though he was usually quiet, students always knew he was present. At MHS, Coach Holland instructed Physical Education and Health, and was an assistant coach for football and basketball. He coached the offensive and defensive line for the Tigers, and was looking forward to a good season this year. Perhaps one of the highest honors he received during his 27 year teaching career, was the 1974 Tiger annual dedication. The two page dedication, featuring several pictures read: "These few but true words just begin to describe the individual to whom we dedicate this yearbook. From the middle of summer to the end of the school year, this man is involved with the athletic program of our high school. Before coming to Many High School, he was one of the most outstanding football and basketball coaches in the state of Louisiana. He guided his teams to many championships, and has helped to bring the same tradition to Many High School." The hallways of Many High were silent Monday, as Supt. Larry Skinner canceled classed to honor the late coach. Some teachers, however, came to the school anyway, finding solace in numbers. They sat in clusters, recalling happy incidents involving the late coach, and remembering him as a person. Recalling his friend and co-worker, Supt. Skinner stated, "He was a gentleman, and the kids respected him. I don't know of a student who knew Coach Holland that didn't like him." He continued, "He was very professional." Skinner pointed out that Coach Holland was the first black to come to MHS following integration, and that he was a big help in solving the problems that arose. Lloyd Murdock, MHS principal stated, "Coach Holland was one of the most respected men at Many High. The entire community will suffer his loss." Head Football Coach Malvin Ogden expressed his shock at the death of his assistant. "He and I started out together here at Many High. Both the black and white players and students thought a lot of him. He had a lot of respect at school, and in the community." Coach Norman Booker Jr., who coached with the late Holland, remembered him as "easy going". He said, "He was real easy to work with, and he had an excellent relationship with the black and white players." Odis Faust, Asst. Principal at MHS, and former basketball coach, remember the times he tricked Coach Holland, and the good relationship they had. "He was a dependable man," Faust recalled. "You just don't find many like him." Teaching with Coach Holland on a day to day basis, and sharing the gym, PE teacher Carolyn Skinner was visibly shaken at the sad news. "The kids really liked him," she nodded. "He was best at calming people down. He had a knack for being the mediator." "I taught with Coach Holland for 11 years, and he was an honest and good man," she said. "It seems like he was always interested in the kids. He had the ability to build one up - encourage him." She added, "He was one of the finest fellows that ever lived." T. A. Maxey, former Sabine High principal stated, "Coach Holland was a very cooperative person, who worked well with all people." Maxie added, "He had a professional way of dealing with people. He was a community leader." Gary Allen, a member of the MHS basketball team from 1972-74 remembered Coach Holland as a "concerned coach." He added, "He never showed any partiality, and he was as much a friend to us as he was a coach." Robby Lang, a basketball player at MHS from 1969-71 stated, "I thought he was one of the finest men I've ever met. In fact, he was the only reason I played basketball my senior year." Lang added, "He was quiet spoken, but he was always there." Coach Holland will always be there - in the hearts of those he coached and guided, and in the hearts of those he helped and loved.